Meet Christina Gressianu | Photographer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Gressianu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
We’re always taking risks. Just being alive, there are risks all around. We’re just more aware and present to some of them than others. Driving is a risk, walking down the street is a risk — a tree branch could fall on my head or I might be enticed by a bakery. When I first started working for myself in 2008, I asked my older brother if it was a crazy. Should I just go get a job. His answer changed my life. He said “It’s a just a matter of how much risk you’re comfortable with.” Amazing that it wasn’t a matter of being smart or talented! Just a matter of risk tolerance. I was so energized by that idea, that I dove in. And the kicker was that in 2008, I was seeing people around me getting laid off from their jobs. So the risk in a job is not really less than the risk of being on my own. In fact, I might have one client fire me but the risk of all my clients firing me at the same time is considerably less than the risk of being fired from a job. I think about risk all the time. I consider what’s the worst that can happen if I do this versus that, versus nothing. It’s actually very empowering.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Photography for me is the shortest distance between us. “Us” can be you and I, but the distance I’m out close is the one between can also be you and yourself… me and myself… “you and I.” As a portrait photographer I’m proud every time a woman holds a portrait of herself, looks into her own eyes and sees beauty. I’ve closed the distance between her and herself. To make it a profitable business though is a whole ‘nother challenge. It requires overcoming myself every single day. I never want to market myself or make a sales call. I never want to look at balance sheets or cash flow. But, if I’m going to do what I love with the amazing people that come to my studio, I have to keep the lights on!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The best place in Colorado to visit is Crested Butte! I’d spend however much time we have eating at the cute restaurants, like Secret Stash Pizza, getting coffee at Camp for Coffee, going to the farmers market and wandering out the amazing nature. Crested Butte is a truly a jewel, and the people who live and work there know it. They love to talk to you about their business and their town. Then we’d go back to the hot tub and hang out under the stars.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There is no such thing as a self-made person. We’re all made with the help of our community. My husband Vi is my fun and fearless rock. Amy and Crystal are two of the most creative and ballsy business people I know. They have supported and advised me for YEARS. Ike is the person who first picked me up so he could kick my butt into action. My brother’s nuggets of advice changed my life so many times. And my mom, for thinking everything I do is wonderful.

Website: www.photocg.co

Instagram: @photocg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgphotographer/